Evaluation of visual outcome following cataract surgery in a tertiary eye care hospital.

A retrospective study was conducted at the Regional Institute of Ophthalmology (RIO), Koiluta to assets the visual outcome in senile cataract after surgery in the age group of 45-65 years, A total number of 1837 operated eyes (1826 patients) were included in the study during the period of January, 2000 to December, 2000. Patients with low vision unrelated to cataract surgery were excluded. The mean age at cataract extraction was 56±9 yean. Patioents were followere for 6 nonths. Of 1837 operated eyes, 26(1.4%) were blind (visual acuity 6/18). Of 148 visually compromised eyes posterior capsular opacit (41.2%) was the commonest complication followed by corneal oedema (36.5%) and glaucoma (12.8%). Other posterior segment causes accounted for the remaining cases. The study emphasises the need for proper selection, good pre-operative check-up, skilled surgery and regular follow-up to improve the qualitative aspect of cataract surgery.